1. Essential Question What are two different ways that people dispose of food scraps? Which is better and why? 5th Grade standard: Life Sciences: 2. Plants and animals have structures for respiration, digestion, waste disposal, and transport of materials. Related 4th grade standard: Life Sciences: 2) All organisms need energy and matter to live and grow. As a basis for understanding this concept: c. Students know decomposers, including many fungi, insects, and microorganisms, recycle matter from dead plants and animals. Related 6th grade standard: Ecology (Life Sciences): 5) Organisms in ecosystems exchange energy and nutrients among themselves and with the environment. As a basis for understanding this concept: b. Students know matter is transferred over time from one organism to others in the food web and between organisms and the physical environment. Grade Level: 5 th 7 th grade standard: 5)The anatomy and physiology of plants and animals 7) Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. BAESI July 26-28 2011: SUSTAINABILITY

2. Collaborators Holly Walker, Campbell Union Elem. Aaron Reaven, WCCUSD BAESI July 26-28 2011: SUSTAINABILITY

3. Summary/ Abstract of Unit 5 th & 7 th grades: Students will study worms and worm composting, and explore how any composting system is part of a sustainable way to grow food. Students will also compare this practice with the prevailing alternative – sending food scraps and food waste into landfills. BAESI July 26-28 2011: SUSTAINABILITY

4. Lesson Outline – 5 th Grade 1) Students will study the anatomy of red (compost) worms, including their excretion of highly bioactive castings. Students will observe the behavior of red worms and examine their anatomy. 2) Students will learn how soil quality is improved by the addition of organic matter (such as worm castings). Students will create and maintain a worm bin, and feed the worms food scraps from school lunches. 3) Students will learn about the disadvantages of not composting when food scraps are sent to landfills. Students will assemble the elements of a simulated landfill, including food scraps, and observe what happens over time. BAESI July 26-28 2011: SUSTAINABILITY

5. Unit Assessment – 5 th grade Cloze activity to check for worm vocabulary. Students will complete 1-3 worksheets reporting their observations and/or measurements during the lab activities (hands-on, minds-on activities).

6. Lesson Outline – 7 th Grade Anticipatory set: Ask the question: What do worms do besides wiggle? Include academic language and vocabulary development of worm anatomy and worm function for scaffolding. Video of how to create an indoor worm bin. Follow Aaron’s 5 th grade lesson.

7. Unit Assessment – 7 th grade Cloze activity to check for worm vocabulary. Unit portfolio : Complete a science log to include troubleshooting activities during worm observation. Add own questions; similar to KWL for class to discuss. BAESI July 26-28 2011: SUSTAINABILITY